I want to let Dr. Scheider know that the first symptoms I had were falling when I first got out of bed. At least 2 years before diagnosis I had this problem of falling for no reason. Even before forgetting words and thoughts, I had other symptoms of AD problems also unknowingly. I encountered eye problems that were not able to be diagnosed by my eye doctor. He told me to see a mental health person. Tools were disappearing in front of me. I thought I was crazy.
I finally started documenting these occurrences in my writing. Great sci fi stuff in AD. My only way to describe it was to say that it seemed that my brain forgot to tell my leg muscles that I was walking. The same with the disappearing tools. My brain just seemed to lose the photographic image. It was only after I had started the meds and was talking to my doctor about the disease that I found out that these are common symptoms. Also I had other people who have no connection admit to me in hushed tones that they too have experienced the "disappearing tools" thing. My earliest memory's of my mother's AD was her search for her glasses that were in plain site. But she could not see them until I put them in her hand.
I have Familial Early Onset Alzheimer's disease. I hope that some researchers will start focusing on the detection of early symptoms. And publish them for the general public. Most people think that to have AD, you have to be brainless. AD is very subtle and sneaks up slowly. Even if you are like me, and have experience with other family members. You can be surprised by what symptoms may appear.
People who have questions are free to contact me.
Chuck Jackson EOAD
balko71@yahoo.com
